Rizal Shrine, Fort Santiago

The Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago was built in honor of the Philippine’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Fort Santiago in Intramuros used to be a Spanish military fortress that imprisoned many Filipinos and Americans during the Spanish Colonial Period and World War II. The most famous prisoner was Rizal.

The museum was built in 1953 and was modernized in 2013. In the Rizal Shrine, memorabilia such as Rizal’s books, medical instruments, coat, hat, even business cards and many more are displayed.

Left: the trial of Rizal, Right: Rizal’s calling cards in Hong Kong

Left: Rizal’s coat, hat and other belongings, Right: Rizal’s fencing uniform, sword and a photograph of him fencing with Juan Luna in Paris

Left: Rizal’s medical tools, Right: other exhibits

A facsimile of his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which were believed to have sparked the rebellion against the Spanish government, are also exhibited.

Copies of Noli me tangere, a novel by Dr. Jose Rizal

The most interesting point inside Rizal Shrine is the room where our hero was imprisoned.

Dr. Jose Rizal’s prison cell

This room was the actual detention cell where he was held captive and wrote his final letters to his family and closest friend, Ferdinand Blumentritt, before he was shot to death on December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan (now known as Luneta or Rizal Park). It is one of the most important dates in the Philippine history.

A photograph of Dr. Rizal standing before a firing squad on his execution day, December 30, 1896, at Bagumbayan.

Left: His final letter to his sisters, Right: The oil lamp which Rizal used to hide his letters and poems when he was imprisoned

If you want to learn more about the life, works and martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, it is recommended that you visit this museum. Visitors can take pictures of the exhibits as long as there is no camera flash. Also, the building is air-conditioned.